As it was last year, the tournament will take place in different venues. So far confirmed are Inge Brigt Aarbakke factory hall in Bryne, Vågen Videregående Skole – High school in Sandnes, and the main arena in Scandic Hotel Stavanger Forus.

The organizers are making efforts to secure two additional venues. The players will be staying on the new Scandic Stavanger City hotel which will open its doors in May.

Kjell Madland, Norway Chess Chairman, said for Aftenbladet that former World Champion Viswanathan Anand will not participate this time, but is looking forward to come back for Norway Chess 2015.

Madland added that the first prize will be 100,000 EUR, as last year, and that possibly one spot in the tournament will be awarded to the winner of the “Nordic Challenge Tournament”.

The organizers have signed new partners for the next event, including the SR-Bank and Conventor AS.